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Robertson reprises 'Houdini' act

Robertson reprises 'Houdini' act

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MINNEAPOLIS -- It was in Game 2 of last year's American League Division Series that Yankees right-hander Dave Robertson authored a postseason moment to remember, wriggling out of a bases-loaded, none-out jam to preserve a 3-3 tie against the Twins.

Mark Teixeira hit a game-winning home run against the Twins in that game, as he did in Wednesday's Game 1 of the ALDS at Target Field, and Robertson is still wriggling out of jams as well. His swinging strikeout of Jim Thome ended the seventh inning, capping what Alex Rodriguez called "a beautiful sequence."

"I wouldn't say [my confidence] has increased," said the 25-year-old Robertson, who had a 3.82 ERA in 64 appearances this year. "Maybe my ability to get out of them has gotten a little better, I don't know. Every situation like that is different. You just try to find a way to get out of it."

After walking Delmon Young to put two on with two outs, Thome stepped in, owning 589 regular-season homers. Robertson buzzed a first-pitch fastball over the plate for a called strike, then threw Thome three consecutive curveballs, the last one with nasty break into the dirt that Thome waved at.

"It's the same pitch, just location -- that's really all it is," Robertson said.